You’re standing on the corner of Orleans and Wacker, looking up at a massive, somewhat imposing building known as the Apparel Center. It doesn’t scream "boutique hotel charm" from the sidewalk. Honestly, it looks like a fortress of industry. But if you take the elevator up to the 14th floor, the world completely shifts. This is the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza Hotel Chicago, and it is one of those rare places that manages to be a secret hiding in plain sight, even though it has hundreds of rooms and sits right on top of the action.
Chicago hotels are notoriously expensive. You’ve got the flashy spots on Michigan Avenue where a cocktail costs as much as a steak dinner, and then you’ve got the budget motels out by O’Hare that require a 40-minute commute. The Mart Plaza occupies this weird, wonderful middle ground. It's technically a Holiday Inn, but it feels nothing like the roadside stops you grew up with. Because it’s perched atop the Sun-Times building and adjacent to the Merchandise Mart, the views are, frankly, better than most five-star properties in the Loop. You aren't just looking at the city; you are suspended above the Chicago River.
The Architecture of an Indoor City
The design is a bit of a trip. The hotel starts on the 14th floor. This means every single guest room is elevated far above the street noise of River North. The lobby is this massive, glass-walled atrium that feels like a greenhouse in the sky. It’s airy. It’s bright. It’s also incredibly convenient if you’re in town for a trade show at the "Mart" next door. You can basically live, work, and eat without ever putting on a winter coat, which, if you’ve ever experienced a Chicago "Hawk" wind in January, you know is a massive luxury.
Let's talk about the Merchandise Mart for a second. It was once the largest building in the world by floor space. It has its own zip code. Being connected to it gives the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza Hotel Chicago a strange kind of gravity. You’re staying in a hub of design and commerce. The walkability is insane. You can stroll over to the Riverwalk in about three minutes. You can hit the West Loop for dinner at some of the best restaurants in the country—think Girl & the Goat or Au Cheval—within a fifteen-minute walk or a very cheap Uber ride.
Room Realities and What to Actually Expect
People often ask if the rooms feel dated. Look, it’s a high-volume hotel. They’ve done significant renovations over the years to keep things crisp, but you aren’t getting avant-garde Italian furniture here. You’re getting a very solid, very clean, and surprisingly quiet room. The windows are the real MVP. If you book a river-view room, you get a front-row seat to the bridges lifting and the architectural boat tours gliding by. It’s better than TV.
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There's a specific layout here that works. The desks are large because they know their audience—business travelers who actually need to get stuff done. The Wi-Fi doesn't lag. The showers have actual water pressure. It’s the basics done right, which is becoming increasingly rare in the era of "lifestyle hotels" that prioritize neon signs over comfortable pillows.
The Perks Nobody Mentions
- The Pool: It’s an indoor, heated pool that is actually large enough to swim laps in. Most downtown Chicago hotel pools are the size of a postage stamp. This one is legit.
- Dry Cleaning and Fitness: The fitness center isn't an afterthought in a basement. It’s well-equipped and has decent views, making a 6:00 AM treadmill session slightly less soul-crushing.
- The Merchants Market: Instead of a $30 breakfast buffet that leaves you feeling heavy, they have a more casual market setup. Grab a decent coffee and a breakfast sandwich and get on with your day.
Dealing with the "Holiday Inn" Label
There is a certain snobbery in travel. Some folks hear "Holiday Inn" and immediately think of a 1970s carpet and a vending machine that steals your quarters. This property is part of the "voco" transition or operates with a much higher standard of finish than the brand average. It’s technically the Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown - Wolf Point now, but locals and long-time regulars still call it the Mart Plaza.
Why does the name matter? Because it keeps the price down. If this exact same building was branded as a Westin or a Hyatt Regency, you’d be paying an extra $100 a night just for the logo on the soap. By staying here, you’re essentially "hacking" the Chicago skyline. You get the same view as the luxury condos across the river for a fraction of the cost.
Navigating the Neighborhood Like a Local
If you stay at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza Hotel Chicago, do not eat every meal in the hotel. You are in the heart of River North. Walk two blocks north to Gene & Georgetti, Chicago's oldest steakhouse. It’s unapologetically old-school. If you want something modern, head over to Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf. It’s arguably the best steakhouse in the city, but you’ll need to book weeks in advance.
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For coffee, skip the lobby and walk into the Merchandise Mart itself. There are local roasters and high-end cafes tucked into the first few floors. It’s also a great place to people-watch. You’ll see interior designers from all over the world carrying fabric swatches and looking stressed. It’s the energy of a city that actually builds things.
The Logistics of the Loop
Getting here is actually pretty simple, though the entrance can be tricky for first-timers. The "lobby" on the ground floor is just a security desk and elevators. You have to go up to check in. If you’re driving, be prepared: Chicago parking is a racket. The hotel has parking, but it’s pricey. If you’re flying into O’Hare, take the Blue Line train to Clark/Lake. It’s a bit of a walk from there with luggage, but it’s $5 compared to a $60 taxi.
If you’re coming from Midway, take the Orange Line. It’s even easier. The hotel’s proximity to the "L" tracks (the elevated train) is a pro and a con. Pro: you can get anywhere in the city for three bucks. Con: if you’re a very light sleeper, you might hear a faint rumble. Honestly, at the 14th floor and above, the soundproofing is solid enough that most people don't even notice.
Why the Location Wins Every Time
Wolf Point—the spot where the north, south, and main branches of the Chicago River meet—is right outside your door. This is the historic heart of the city. In the summer, the Riverwalk is a vibrant, living thing with wine bars, kayak rentals, and public art. In the winter, the "Art on theMart" projections turn the side of the Merchandise Mart into a massive digital art gallery. You can watch the show from the hotel's common areas.
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Most travelers make the mistake of staying too far east on Michigan Avenue. While the Magnificent Mile is great for shopping, it can feel like a tourist trap. Staying at the Mart Plaza puts you in a "real" part of the city. You’re near the tech hubs (Google’s office is a short walk away), the legal district, and the design centers. It feels more authentic.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
- Ask for a High Floor: Even though the hotel starts on 14, the views from the 20th floor and above are significantly more dramatic.
- Check the Mart Schedule: If there’s a massive show like NeoCon happening, the hotel will be packed and prices will skyrocket. If you’re a leisure traveler, avoid these dates to save hundreds.
- Use the Secret Entrance: There are ways to cut through the Merchandise Mart to get to the "L" station without walking all the way around the block. Ask the concierge for the "commuter route."
- Dining Hack: Hit the "Foodie" spots in the West Loop for lunch. Prices are lower than dinner, and the walk across the Lake Street bridge is iconic.
Staying at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza Hotel Chicago is about being smart with your budget without sacrificing the "Chicago experience." You get the river, the skyline, and the convenience of River North, all while staying in a building that has a legitimate place in the city's architectural history. It’s not the fanciest place in town, but it might be the most practical.
Next Steps for Your Chicago Trip
Check the Event Calendar: Before booking, go to the Merchandise Mart's official website to see if any major trade shows coincide with your dates. This will help you avoid peak pricing and crowded elevators.
Map Your Transit: Download the Ventra app on your phone before you arrive. This allows you to load a "Pace" or "CTA" pass digitally, so you can jump on the Brown Line at the Merchandise Mart station immediately after dropping your bags.
Book the River Side: When reserving your room, specifically look for the "River View" category. The price difference is usually minimal, but the psychological payoff of seeing the water every morning is huge.